Goldsinny-wrasse

Three-spined stickleback

Lumpsucker

Tadpole fish

Topknot

Greater weever

Eelpout

Shorthorn sculpin

Green crab

Edible crab

Common starfish

Edible sea urchin

Dahlia anemone

Plumose sea anemone

Common whelk

Eelpout

Facts

Latin

Zoarces viviparus

Size

52 cm

Food

Bottom-dwelling animals and small crustaceans

Habitat

Between rocks and seaweed on stony bottom

IUCN

Not evaluated

Location

Northeast Atlantic

Map

Get to know the eelpout

The eelpout is elongated and resembles an eel. But the forepart of the body is thicker and the tail is more compressed. The eelpout is not related to the eel family.
On the top side, the eelpout is yellow or brown with dark bands. It has the same colours as its surroundings.

Births its young

The eelpout is unique among other fish in that it gives birth to its offspring instead of laying eggs. The offspring suckle nutrients while still within the body of the female. The female eelpout has ovarian follicles that provide this function. After they are born, the offspring are on their own.

The sensitive eelpout

The eelpout is sensitive to environmentally dangerous substances and deoxygenation.
In recent years, malformed eelpout offspring have been found in Danish waters. It is thought that this is due to pollution in the eelpout's habitat.

Meet an eelpout

You can see the eelpout in shallow water at all times of the year. But it is shy and easily spooked. If you snorkel, look along the jetty or on the reefs close to the shore. An eelpout under 23 cm in size is protected and from 15 September-31 January, so are pregnant eelpouts.